Photo Essay: “Cowboys and Indians” Against Keystone XL Bring Newfound Unity to DC
The indigenous contingent of the Cowboy and Indian Alliance lines up for the opening ceremony.
Why you can trust us
This week, members of the Cowboy Indian Alliance—a coalition of tribal members, ranchers, and landowners from the Great Plains—are camping out on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., united in one cause: opposition to the Keystone XL pipeline.
Finding common cause over protection of clean water and a mistrust of the Canadian pipeline company Transcanada, they’ve come to meet with elected officials, connect with allies, and strengthen relationships with one another. Some, like Texas landowner Lori Collins, already have the completed portion of the pipeline running through their fields. Others who live along the path of the northern segment, which is yet to be approved, hope that a strategic partnership between natives and settlers will help prevent the same thing from happening to them.
Last Friday, President Obama announced another delay to the project. While some are frustrated by the lack of leadership, others see it as a reason to hope. As one rancher told me this morning, “Every day is a victory.”
All photographs by Kristin Moe.
Indigenous members of the Cowboy Indian Alliance in front of the U.S. Capitol.
Lori Collins from Lake Creek Texas. The southern leg of Keystone XL which began operating earlier this year crosses her land.
Participants exchange gifts at the opening ceremony welcoming visitors to Piscataway traditional territory.
Nebraska landowner Bob Allpress presents a gift to Chief Billy “Red Wing” Tayac of the Piscataway nation. Washington D.C. was originally Piscataway territory.
Sierra Club Executive Director Mike Brune (near center in suit) joins members of the Cowboy and Indian Alliance at their camp.
Indigenous members of the Cowboy Indian Alliance demonstrate in front of the U.S. Capitol.
Cowboy and Indian Alliance leaders Casey Camp Horinek (at left) and Faith Spotted Eagle (second from left in sunglasses) join Crystal Lameman (at right) from the Beaver Lake Cree First Nation in Alberta Canada. Together they represent tribes from regions all along the path of Keystone XL.
Lori Collins from Lake Creek Texas.
Beadwork on a riders traditional costume.
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Kristin Moe
is a writer, storyteller, and multimedia journalist. She is a graduate of the Salt Institute for Documentary Studies and has coordinated storytelling programs at The Swearer Center for Public Service at Brown University.
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